BRTB seeks public comments on funding for several major congestion easement projects

BRTB seeks public comments on funding for several major congestion easement projects

BRTB to update Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program

Open for Public Review

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments through Wednesday, March 14, on funding updates to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and/or Maximize2040: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan for five Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) projects and one Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) project.

The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the amendments on Tuesday, March 27 at 9 a.m. Details of the amendments and comment period are below.

About Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 TIP

Maximize2040 is this region’s $12.5 billion long-range transportation plan developed by the BRTB. Maximize2040 serves as the blueprint for fiscally constrained transportation planning in the Baltimore region from the year 2020 to 2040. The plan also establishes the region’s broad transportation goals and performance measures, which now serve as guiding principles as the region plans and carries out projects.

The 2018-2021 TIP is the list of regional transportation projects requesting federal funding in the near term. It includes more than $3 billion in proposed federal, state and local money for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects during the next four years. The funding goes towards maintaining, operating and expanding the transportation system. The TIP is fiscally constrained.

Amendments occur to Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 TIP because of changes to project scope and funding or changes to federal documentation policies. Public comment periods and meetings aim to keep communication open regarding these changes.

I-695: I-70 to MD 43

I-695: I-70 to MD 43

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) requests of the BRTB to update Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 TIP to include a new project, the I-695: I-70 to MD 43 (TIP ID # 63-1802-41). Gov. Larry Hogan announced this project to the public as part of a plan to relieve congestion around the Baltimore Beltway on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.

This project will address capacity, safety and operational concerns along I-695. The purpose of this project is to utilize the inside shoulder to create a new travel lane on the inner and outer loops of I-695 during peak travel periods from I-70 to MD 43. This project includes reconfiguration of the I-695 and I-70 interchange and potential future adaptive ramp metering.

This amendment would add the project to the 2018-2021 TIP and Maximize2040 using federal National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) funds, along with state matching funds. Funding in the 2018-2021 TIP includes $22 million in preliminary engineering funds and $99 million in construction funds for a total of $121 million. The total cost of the project is $251 million with construction funding extending into FY 2022 and FY 2023.

SW Beltway & Triple Bridges Study

Southwest Beltway and Triple Bridges Study

SHA also requests of the BRTB to remove from the 2018-2021 TIP two projects, the I-695: I-95 to MD 122 (Southwest Beltway) and I-70 & I-695: Triple Bridges Study. The intent of the Southwest Beltway project was to study the six-lane portions of I-695 for widening to an eight-lane freeway. In addition to the TIP, the Southwest Beltway project also will be removed from Maximize2040. SHA requests the removal of the project from both documents because no further studies are planned for this corridor. The ultimate restriping of this roadway segment to eight lanes is now anticipated beyond the timeframes covered by the TIP and long-range plan. SHA requests the removal of the Triple Bridges Study because funds for it and the eventual reconfiguration of the I-695 and I-70 interchange are now part of the I-695: I-70 to MD 43 project.

I-95 Express Toll Lane

I-95 Express Toll Lane Northbound Extension

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) requests of the BRTB to update Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 TIP to include a new project, the I-95 Express Toll Lane Northbound Extension (TIP ID # 25-1801-41).

Traffic operations along northbound I-95 continue to cause congestion, safety and operational concerns, which the project will address. The project includes the addition of a single Express Toll Lane that will stretch 4.9 miles, from north of MD 43 in Baltimore County, to one mile south of MD 152 in Harford County. An auxiliary lane will be added from one mile south of MD 152 to the MD 152 off-ramp. Finally, the on-ramp from MD 152 will be extended as an auxiliary lane to the MD 24/MD 924 off ramp. The project also includes various corridor improvements such as four noise walls and a new ITS system.

This amendment would add the project to the 2018-2021 TIP and Maximize2040 using MDTA toll revenue. Funding in the 2018-2021 TIP includes $7.9 million in preliminary engineering funds and $107.3 million in construction funds for a total of $115.2 million. The total project cost of $210 million includes additional construction in FY 2022 and FY 2023.

US 40: Bridge Replacement

US 40: Bridge Replacement Over Little & Big Gunpowder Falls

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) requests of the BRTB to amend the 2018-2021 TIP to include funding updates to the US 40: Bridge Replacements over Little & Big Gunpowder Falls project (TIP ID # 63-1706-13).

The project will replace and widen the superstructure on two bridges along eastbound and westbound US 40 over Little Gunpowder Falls and two bridges along eastbound and westbound US 40 over Big Gunpowder Falls. The new bridge superstructure will maintain two 12-foot lanes on each bridge, as well as 4-foot inside shoulders and 10-foot outside shoulders to match the approach roadways.

This amendment switches the federal funding source from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) to the NHPP and updates construction, preliminary engineering, and right-of-way funds. SHA proposes to increase federal NHPP funds by $6.43 million, along with $2.84 million in matching funds, for a total of $9.28 million. The total cost of the project increases to $25.79 million. The funding increase accommodates a revised management of traffic strategy and widening at the bridge approaches for traffic transitions.

I-83: Bridge Replacement

I-83: Bridge Replacement Over Padonia Road

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) requests of the BRTB to amend the 2018-2021 TIP to include funding updates to the I-83: Bridge Replacement over Padonia Road project (TIP ID # 63-1701-13).

The project will replace the bridge along I-83 over Padonia Road, which carries both northbound and southbound traffic. SHA proposes a cost increase to reflect recent bid prices and the final grading plan.

This amendment adds federal NHPP funds for the construction phase and state funding for preliminary engineering. The addition of federal NHPP funds increases federal funding in the TIP by $17.71 million, resulting in a decrease of $12.47 million in state funding. The total four-year request in the TIP would increase by $5.24 million from $20 million to $25.24 million. The total cost of the project increases to $26.44 million.

Analysis of Air Quality Conformity

Under the Clean Air Act Amendments, areas designated as being “nonattainment” or “maintenance” of air quality standards are required to review their current transportation plans and programs to ensure they are in conformity with the applicable State Air Quality Implementation Plan (SIP). The Baltimore region is a federally designated “nonattainment” area for ground-level ozone.

Federal law requires that the BRTB, as the Baltimore region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), analyze projects proposed for amendment to ensure they do not jeopardize the conformity of the plan under federal rules and guidelines.

The Conformity Results show that the project amendments, in combination with the existing and planned network, will not delay timely attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

For More Information

For more information about the amendment to the 2018-2021 TIP, please contact

Name: Zach Kaufman

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 410-732-0500 x1048

Notice:The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.